In the 2013-14 Social Justice Statement, Lazarus at our Gate (p 11) it stated:

By the end of 2012, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide exceeded 45 million, the highest level of displacement since 1994. These are men, women and children driven from their homes by war or civil violence.

Often these people are forced to seek refuge in countries that are themselves facing significant struggles. Eighty per cent of refugees are seeking protection in developing countries, making it even harder for those nations to lift themselves out of poverty…

For millions of refugees, it will be many years before they can find a home again. Some never do…

Not only have these people lost access to their livelihoods, their extended families and their faith communities, but they are very often prevented from moving around freely , earning a living or planning their futures.

For your consideration and action:

As Pope Francis stated: “Let us try a little harder to take the first step and to become involved”

A VOICE FOR REFUGEES

Refugee Rights Action Network (RRAN) will host a vigil outside the Yongah Hill Detention Centre about 90 km from Perth, near Northam on Saturday 21st June. Bus transport is provided from the Perth Transport Centre on Summers St, East Perth next to the East Perth train station. Departure time is 2:00pm returning about 9:30pm. There will be speakers, candles, balloons and statements written by asylum seekers read out. Hot soup will be provided. “If you’ve never come to one of these events before, take that small extra step with us. We promise not to get you in over your head!” The event will be child friendly. To book a seat on the bus click here, $10 concession, negotiable. $15 full fare. Further info:Facebook, Web, E) info@rran.org, M) 0417 904 329. (To read the Australian Catholic Bishops’ powerful recent statement on refugees dated 8th May 2014, plus the National Council of Priests’ statement and the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania’s motion on Asylum Seekers, please click here.)

Read current and past issues of the JEDO Newsletter here, and catch up on the social justice work of the Justice, Ecology and Development Office within the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth. Continue Reading

The use of acknowledgement plaques on entrances to homes, churches, workplaces and other buildings, serve to remind Australians of the presence of the Aboriginal people in our land millennia before the making of the Australian colonies and the Australian nation Continue Reading Aboriginal Acknowledgement Plaque Orders